Posted on May 4, 2018
Where would a recruit sent home go to inquire about reenlistment; Recruiter, IG or JAG?
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I've looked through a couple threads here, and not getting a warm & fuzzy for an answer. I know a guy who was sent home from Basic ostensibly for "mental health" issues, which he strongly disputes. He states he was feeling blue--not depressive--and having trouble being motivated (must not have had any of MY old Drill Sergeants!), and the commander decided to send him home. Apparently he can reenlist with a waver, so he wants to know where to go to A.) Dispute the basic premise of why he was discharged from Basic & B.) To begin the process he will need to go through to get back in.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Junior Enlisted
Re-enlistment
Basic Training
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Some Army schools dismissed students who failed to complete the course with "LOM" - Lack of Motivation. While this didn't mean an immediate discharge, it was a "CLM" career limiting move.
As a former Drill Sergeant, my guess is your friend was less than ideally suited for a military career and the military acted appropriately.
As a former Drill Sergeant, my guess is your friend was less than ideally suited for a military career and the military acted appropriately.
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SGT Dave Tracy
These days the military in general is sensitive to mental health issues in this age of awareness of SM and veteran suicide, so if they err it's going to be on the side of caution I suspect. I don't fault them for that by & large.
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CPT Don Kemp
SGT Dave Tracy - The very first recruit I encountered on my first day before I even went to Drill Sergeant School was a 29 year old man who began to cry when I walked in front of him. I checked back after a couple of weeks in DS School - my colleagues had processed him out. His wife called and said these words, "Why did you send him back to me? I sent him to the Army so you could make a man out of him."
You've heard that old saying, "Can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear".....Drill Sergeants work miracles but they cant work with nothing.
You've heard that old saying, "Can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear".....Drill Sergeants work miracles but they cant work with nothing.
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SGT Dave Tracy
CPT Don Kemp - I wouldn't want to job of a Drill Sergeant; though a few guys I went in with are now either starting on the trail themselves or coming off of it-the ones still in that is. Too many idiots to try to make into soldiers, knowing full well many won't make it no matter what.
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CPT Don Kemp
SGT Dave Tracy - I hear you, SGT Tracy. Been a long time since I was "On the Trail" - 1976-77. One of the best Drill Sergeants and NCO's I ever knew was relieved of duty when the class Honor Graduate disclosed how the NCO shaped him up. I'd never stand for abusive Drill Sergeants who just had a bad temper but I had no issue with Drill Sergeants trying to help recruits improve. Unfortunately, the Army in its infinite wisdom doesn't always distinguish between the two.
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SGT Dave Tracy Leave the feelings behind on this one.
It does not matter your friend "feels" he was discharged for or that is was a mistake it really only matters that he was, and what separation chapter was used for that discharge.
Id guess it was a Chapter 11. Entry Level Performance and Conduct separation. But that needs to be confirmed. Unless there was obvious (perceived or real) mental health issues, the CoC would not have bothered or taken the time to separate under a different chapter.
So while the CDR's personal reason may have been perceived mental health issues Id bet the paperwork is just a Chap 11 garden verity ELS.
11-2. Basis for separation Separation of a soldier in entry level status may be warranted on the grounds of unsatisfactory performance and/or unsatisfactory conduct as evidenced by
a. Inability.
b. Lack of reasonable effort.
c. Failure to adapt to the military environment.
d. Minor disciplinary infractions.
So he needs to confirm what kind of a discharge under what chapter he was discharged and what his re entry code is, then create supporting documents as to why that "issue" is no longer an issue then go see a recruiter and convince them to invest time.
It does not matter your friend "feels" he was discharged for or that is was a mistake it really only matters that he was, and what separation chapter was used for that discharge.
Id guess it was a Chapter 11. Entry Level Performance and Conduct separation. But that needs to be confirmed. Unless there was obvious (perceived or real) mental health issues, the CoC would not have bothered or taken the time to separate under a different chapter.
So while the CDR's personal reason may have been perceived mental health issues Id bet the paperwork is just a Chap 11 garden verity ELS.
11-2. Basis for separation Separation of a soldier in entry level status may be warranted on the grounds of unsatisfactory performance and/or unsatisfactory conduct as evidenced by
a. Inability.
b. Lack of reasonable effort.
c. Failure to adapt to the military environment.
d. Minor disciplinary infractions.
So he needs to confirm what kind of a discharge under what chapter he was discharged and what his re entry code is, then create supporting documents as to why that "issue" is no longer an issue then go see a recruiter and convince them to invest time.
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SGT Dave Tracy
Yeah, I'm a bit stuck for detail SGM Erik Marquez. I have asked his mom what he was chaptered under and she doesn't have that info offhand. All she said was he is waverable going forward were he to try again.
Now as far as odds of actually GETTING that waver...
To be clear, this isn't really a "feelings" kinda thing; especially on my end as I only met this kid once and work with his mom. She on the other hand feels real bad she may have helped sink his Army career. Loose lips still sink ships I guess. Anyway, from the family point-of-view, the kid disputes strongly the reason (I am told) he was let go. I can't vouch for the veracity of the story, so all I can do is ask based just on the possibility his story, as filtered through his mother to me, is factual.
This was very recent--came home last week in fact--but I told her to tell him to gather up all his documentation as Step 1. This isn't too foreign a concept for their family as she was a Marine and her husband is currently a SNCO in the Marine Reserve, so if there's anywhere to go with this, maybe this kid listen and follow along with whatever wise counsel can be provided to him.
Like I said elsewhere, if "motivation" really was some part of all this, we shall see.
Now as far as odds of actually GETTING that waver...
To be clear, this isn't really a "feelings" kinda thing; especially on my end as I only met this kid once and work with his mom. She on the other hand feels real bad she may have helped sink his Army career. Loose lips still sink ships I guess. Anyway, from the family point-of-view, the kid disputes strongly the reason (I am told) he was let go. I can't vouch for the veracity of the story, so all I can do is ask based just on the possibility his story, as filtered through his mother to me, is factual.
This was very recent--came home last week in fact--but I told her to tell him to gather up all his documentation as Step 1. This isn't too foreign a concept for their family as she was a Marine and her husband is currently a SNCO in the Marine Reserve, so if there's anywhere to go with this, maybe this kid listen and follow along with whatever wise counsel can be provided to him.
Like I said elsewhere, if "motivation" really was some part of all this, we shall see.
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I would personally start with a civilian mental health professional and get an eval and a green light from them. He'll have to do it anyway. Might as well walk in the door prepared.
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SGT Dave Tracy
SSG (Join to see) I would concur that he may need to get that eval before stepping foot in the recruiter's door. If this guy really wants back in, it'll be on him to do the leg work, but had best be prepared in case the military doesn't want him.
I don't know this kid, I just work with his mom, so I have no idea if he's predisposed to jump through the hoops or not or if he is prepared to be told "no".
I don't know this kid, I just work with his mom, so I have no idea if he's predisposed to jump through the hoops or not or if he is prepared to be told "no".
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